Queens forced to settle for one point

Jan 28 2009 by Kieran Westbrook, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

QUEENS ended a run of four successive home defeats by securing a 2-2 draw against an in-form Partick Thistle at Palmerston on Saturday.

But the Doonhamers may feel they could well have taken away all three points from a game that saw them take the lead twice, and enjoy the lion’s share of the goalscoring chances.

Queens lined up with three players making their home debuts and full-back Ryan McCann, who returned to the club last week after a short spell in England.

His appearance was regarded as a good omen as he has never lost a match at Palmerston.

The last time Queens hosted Partick, they took all three points in a 2-0 win, with goals from Stephen Dobbie goal and a Stevie Tosh penalty.

The Doonhamers looked intent on making history repeat itself, when Dobbie got off the mark after 10 minutes.

Stevie Tosh took the ball forward on the left, and played the ball square to Dobbie who found himself in space.

The striker’s low shot beat keeper Jon Tuffey, going past his right side and into the Partick net.

Queens were looking solid at the back in the early stages of the match, with the partnership of Barr and Lancaster showing promise.

But the Doonhamers were guilty of regularly giving away free kicks in dangerous areas, and it was one such situation that gave Thistle an unlikely equaliser.

In the 17th minute, a free kick sent in by Gary Harkins was met by the head of Kris Doolan, who sent the ball flying past Lee Robinson.

It was a great cross that set up Doolan’s goal, but question marks have to be raised about the marking at the back.

The half ended level, with Queens showing a lot of determination, and Barry Wilson running his socks off throughout the half.

The second half started without any changes from either side. With 55 minutes gone, Queens were awarded a penalty after Bob Harris was brought down in the box.

Tosh showed his experience, calmly slotting the ball into the net, sending the keeper the wrong way.

And on 71 minutes Dobbie could have put the game beyond doubt.

He latched on to a poor touch from a Thistle defender, tackling him and driving towards the goal. But the Thistle keeper made a good save.

Five minutes later, Queens’ hearts were broken by Thistle, and in particular, Scott Chaplain.

A ball into the box found Chaplain, whose scuffed shot found its way past Robinson.

Queens’ boss Gordon Chisholm made just the one substitution during the match, bringing on David Weatherston in the 84th minute to replace Wilson whose efforts earned him a standing ovation.

With minutes left on the clock, a returned pass from Dobbie found Neil Scally’s head on the edge of the box.

But an acrobatic save from Thistle’s keeper knocked the powerful header over the bar, and earned his side a point.

Former Queens’ manager Ian McCall admitted his team did well to get a point, with the Doonhamers having the best of the chances.

And that sentiment was shared by his Palmerston successor.

Chisholm said: “To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed with the point.

“It was a good effort, I can have no complaints with that.But I’m disappointed with the goals we lost.

“We were a bit naive when we were leading.

“Rather than pushing forward, we were sitting back to protect our lead, and it cost us.

“We’ve got new players in, and I think the boys have shown the spirit we need.

“If we can just cut out the errors we’ll start climbing up the table.”

The Doonhamers will be hoping the climb will be starting soon. Airdrie United’s win on Saturday leaves Queens only a point above the bottom spot.

Teams

Queen of the South: Robinson, McCann, Harris, Barr, Lancaster, Scally, Wilson (Weatherston 84), Tosh, Burns, O'Connor, Dobbie. Subs not used: Halliwell, Kean, McQuilken, MacFarlane.

Booked: Wilson, Lancaster.

Goals: Dobbie 10, Tosh 55 pen.

Partick Thistle: Jonathan Tuffey, Paton, Twaddle, Storey, Kinniburgh, Archibald, McKeown, Rowson, Harkins, Buchanan (Akins 67), Doolan. Subs not used: Hinchcliffe, Donnelly, McKinlay, Chaplain.

Booked: Paton, Harkins, Akins.

Attendance: 2,811.